Energy Act 2023

295 Interpretation of Chapter 1

(1) In this Chapter— “adverse environmental effect” has the meaning given by section 291(4); “consent” means any consent, approval, permission, authorisation or confirmation (however described or given) that is required, or otherwise provided for, by or under primary legislation; “DAERA” means the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland; “England” includes the English inshore region and the English offshore region; “Minister of the Crown” has the same meaning as in the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975 (see section 8(1) of that Act); “Northern Ireland” includes the Northern Ireland inshore region; “primary legislation” means— an Act of Parliament, an Act or Measure of Senedd Cymru, an Act of the Scottish Parliament, or Northern Ireland legislation; “protected marine area” has the meaning given by section 291(6); “public authority” means— a Minister of the Crown, the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers, a Northern Ireland department, or any other person with functions of a public nature; “relevant offshore wind activity” has the meaning given by section 290; “Scotland” includes the Scottish inshore region and the Scottish offshore region; “UK marine area” has the meaning given by section 42(1) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009; “Wales” includes the Welsh inshore region and the Welsh offshore region. (2) References in this Chapter to the English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Ireland inshore and offshore regions are to be construed in accordance with the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (see section 322 of that Act). (3) References in this Chapter— (a) to a Scottish public authority are to the Scottish Ministers or any other public authority whose functions are exercisable only or mainly in or as regards Scotland; (b) to a Welsh public authority are to the Welsh Ministers or any other public authority whose functions are exercisable only or mainly in or as regards Wales; (c) to a Northern Ireland public authority are to a Northern Ireland department or any other public authority whose functions are exercisable only or mainly in or as regards Northern Ireland.